Car's walking stick dent helps police nab thieves

Last updated 12:42 30/06/2011

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Woman, 89, dents car with cane, helps nab Pa. duo

Pennsylvania police say an 89-year-old woman used her cane to dent the car of two people who stole her friend's purse, and authorities were able to track down the getaway car based in part on the cane's imprint.

New Castle police Chief Thomas Sansone says the woman and her 82-year-old friend were accosted outside a pizza shop Sunday. Police say 27-year-old Jerry Brown Jr grabbed the purse but couldn't peel away before the 89-year-old banged the car's trunk with her cane.

Police found the car, and, based on the description of the robber - and dents matching the cane - arrested Brown and 21-year-old Tatiana Vargas.

The two are jailed in Lawrence County on robbery charges and on warrants for unrelated crimes. Online court records don't list attorneys for them.